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Barbara Tyroler - Barbara Tyroler <br /> b. OWASA Annual Update Presentation <br /> The Board received a presentation and information from the Orange Water and Sewer <br /> Authority (OWASA) on recent activities. <br /> OWASA Board Chair John Young introduced Executive Director Ed Kerwin and several <br /> other staff and board members. He said OWASA earned the Sustainable Water Utility <br /> Management Award in the fall from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies. <br /> John Young discussed the preliminary engineering study for sewers in the Historic <br /> Rogers Road, which is funded by the County and the towns at a cost of$130,000. He said this <br /> study is scheduled for completion in late March. He said there have been no major surprises <br /> in the study so far. He said the final cost of the project will not be known until the completion <br /> of the construction design. He said a new inter-local agreement is being drafted to keep <br /> things moving into the next phase of installation and construction, and once all of this is in <br /> place, it will take about 2 years to complete this project. <br /> John Young discussed bio-solids management, which is handled at the Mason Farm <br /> wastewater treatment plant. He said evaluations are underway to optimize the sustainability of <br /> those operations. He discussed the different methods of recycling this material. He discussed <br /> the work and partnership with local farmers in this process. <br /> John Young reviewed information on rates and affordability. He said the recent <br /> refinancing of bonds will yield $2.5 million in savings for customers. He noted that there have <br /> been no rate increases for service in the past 3 years. <br /> He discussed affordability outreach efforts, and he expressed thanks to Nancy Coston <br /> at the Department of Social Services and James Davis at the Department of Housing and <br /> Human Rights and Community Development for their contributions to this project. He said this <br /> has resulted in a new process by which OWASA will not disconnect service to customers <br /> actively seeking financial aid for their water bills. He said information is also being provided to <br /> the public regarding water conservation and how to reduce water bills. <br /> Chair McKee expressed his appreciation for the sensitivity shown in handling the bio- <br /> solids issue and in addressing the affordability concerns. <br /> Commissioner Price asked what the aforementioned $2.5 million in savings will look like <br /> in terms of its effect on an average customer on a monthly basis. <br /> John Young said this will not go into the bills right away. He discussed overall numbers <br /> and said this would equate to about a one percent savings over a ten year period. He said the <br /> average homeowner will likely not notice a direct change to their bill. He said rate and budget <br /> decisions will be made this spring. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked if the Care to Share Program will replace the Taste of Hope <br /> program. <br /> John Young said yes. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked how this program is going. <br /> Orange County appointee to the OWASA board Terri Buckner said staff is a little <br /> behind in making the changes to the website, due to the associated costs. She said work is <br /> still being done to make this operational, and there have been no changes yet. <br /> Commissioner Rich said this program allows people to round their bill payment up to <br /> the nearest dollar to help people who cannot pay their water bills. <br /> Terri Buckner said some of the wealthier residents in southern Orange County do not <br /> get a water bill, so there needs to be some restructuring of the contributions to allow everyone <br /> the opportunity to give. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier asked about the mitigation tract for forestry management. <br />